It was a joy to be with you this morning. Today Pastor Dale took us through a strange passage in Mark 11. It’s strange because it records the very last miracle Jesus does in the Book of Mark and it's not a healing or exorcism which has filled this book since Chapter 1. It's a curse. This final miracle of Jesus doesn’t bring life, it brings death. Jesus kills a fig tree by speaking to it.
Today's text in Mark 11:1-26, gives us a unique glimpse into what Jesus desires for His church, for us as His church. In the text, a specific phrase was used.
"The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry.” - Mark 11:12 NIV
This hunger was about more than food. This hunger was about his desire, his longing for his brothers and sisters to do His Father’s will. From Genesis chapter 12, when God called Abraham and said “I’m going to bless you to be a blessing to the Nations.”, this is the longing of Jesus. The question we may naturally ask is, how does this fit into Jesus cursing a fig tree?
In Old Testament literature, the fig tree was a symbol of Israel and more specifically, the Temple in the middle of Israel. It represented the place where the presence of God dwelled, where God was with His people, and they had fellowship with Him. So when the text says Jesus is hungry and goes to look for fruit on a fig tree, it's about more than just this tree. It's about the temple, the purpose and the significance of the temple.
From a distance, the tree looked to have the promise of fruit. It didn't. Jesus curses the tree because though it looks like it has life and growth, fruit and activity, it doesn't. It's dead inside.
Jesus desires His followers to do more than go through the motions of life. Doing so is like a fig tree that seems alive and healthy but doesn't actually bear fruit. He desires for us to be a people who live out our identity as followers of Him. This requires honesty with God and with others. It requires seeking forgiveness from God and forgiving others. This is the way of the Temple of God.
We invite you to sit with our Father and ask him to reveal if there is an area in your life where he'd like you to seek His forgiveness. We invite you to ask Him if there's someone he'd like you to forgive. Jesus has a hunger for you and for your life. Healing is available today. We invite you to step into prayer and receive the freedom and healing God has for you.
POWERED BY BLUBRRY
